Enhanced conjugation stability and blood circulation time of macromolecular gadolinium-DTPA contrast agent.

In this study, we prepared macromolecular MR T1 contrast agent: pullulan-conjugated Gd diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Gd-DTPA-Pullulan) and estimated residual free Gd(3+), chelation stability in competition with metal ions, plasma and tissue pharmacokinetics, and abdominal MR contrast on rats. Residual free Gd(3+) in Gd-DTPA-Pullulan was measured using colorimetric spectroscopy. The transmetalation of Gd(3+) incubated with Ca(2+) was performed by using a dialysis membrane (MWCO 100-500 Da) and investigated by ICP-OES.

Novel application of multicellular layers culture for in situ evaluation of cytotoxicity and penetration of paclitaxel.

Limited drug penetration into tumor tissue is one of the major factors causing clinical drug resistance in human solid tumors. The multicellular layers (MCL) of human cancer cells have been successfully used to study tissue pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs. The purpose of this study was to develop a direct and simple method to evaluate vitality changes in situ within MCL using calcein-AM.

Community-based rehabilitation in the People's Republic of China.

This paper describes the implementation of a pilot community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programme in a densely populated urban centre of Guangzhou (Canton) City. The structure of the programme utilizing the existing administrative and government structures of the province (Guandong), the city and the urban centre (Jin Hua Street) and administration of the project are described. Finally, the paper addresses some issues related to research on CBR in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

[Study of immunologic reactivity of patients with cancer of the stomach based on the data of the adhesive capacity of lymphocytes].

In patients with gastric cancer, the increase in adhesive lymphocytic capacity, as compared to a control, was revealed. It is indicative of the reduction in production of lymphokines, causing inhibition of adhesion. The highest value of the index was noted in IV stage gastric cancer.

[The determination of natural killer cells in the peripheral blood of patients with diffuse toxic goiter].

Natural killer cells were evaluated in patients with diffuse toxic goiter by determining large granule-containing lymphocytes in the peripheral blood that was found to be reduced depending on the course of diffuse toxic goiter. The values were lower in severe course of the disease. Results of the quantitative determination of large granule-containing lymphocytes in the complex with other clinico-laboratory findings reflect the severity of the course of chronic diffuse goiter, state of unspecific immunity and treatment efficacy.